As a business entrepreneur, you know the importance of keeping your company running on schedule. There are instances, however, that can interfere with your business operations. One of these is inclement weather that renders it difficult for staff to make it to work. Create a snow day policy for your company to clarify procedures when icy conditions head your way.

Check Legalities

When creating a snow day policy, you must pay attention to certain legalities. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, business employers can require exempt employees to use personal leave or vacation pay if the company closes when the weather is severe. For nonexempt workers, you must pay their wages if your company cannot open and provide them with work. If the company opens, and a nonexempt employee does not report, he is not paid. Your policy should clearly explain these differences if you have workers in both classifications.

Telecommuting

An aspect of your bad weather policy can include information on telecommuting. If your company has some types of work that can be completed by employees at their homes, you can make this an option for employees who cannot make it to the establishment. For example, a secretary can often complete some of his administrative duties from his home using a personal computer. Utilize the technical resources available to you and your staff to keep your company running during a snowstorm.

Delayed Shifts

Include information regarding delaying shifts in the bad weather section of your employee manual. Many times in most locations, it is feasible to open two or three hours after your normal start times. If, for example, your company generally begins operations in the early morning, you can often wait till later in the day, when significant melting has occurred, to call employees in to work.

Road Conditions

The condition of roads in your locale is of primary importance in deciding whether to open for business or not during bad weather. Your snow day policy should include information that notes the condition of the roads will be taken into consideration when deciding whether to close. Explain you will be gathering up-to-date information on conditions through the local news outlets. Consider both highways, which are likely to be cleared first, as well as outlying areas that might not receive the same attention as major roadways.

Notification

Important information to impart in your employee guide regarding bad weather closings is the method you will use to alert workers. You might, for example, advertise your closing on local news channels and on your company's website or through email. Remember that bad weather can cause power outages, which can prevent your messages from reaching certain areas. Consider using recorded messages sent to employees' land line and cellular phones to announce whether your company will be open or not.

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About the Author

Lisa Mooney has been a professional writer for more than 18 years. She has worked with various clients including many Fortune 500 companies such as Pinkerton Inc. She has written for many publications including Woman's World, Boy's Life and Dark Horizons. Mooney holds bachelor's degrees in both English and biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.